Wilt Chamberlain's Lakers jacket is set to sell for a quarter of a million dollars. On July 1, the rare jacket will go up for auction at Sotheby's New York.
What happened?
The jacket was found by 19-year-old Quinn Brown at a Goodwill Outlet in Portland for $3.07 in January. Brown suspected it was authentic due to its worn appearance and stitch patterns.
The jacket is a gold-and-purple short-sleeved warm-up jacket with the Lakers logo on the chest and "Chamberlain" stitched across the back in purple.
Why it matters for Wilt Chamberlain
This jacket is an extraordinary piece of memorabilia from Chamberlain's final chapter in the NBA. A similar Chamberlain warm-up jacket sold for $56,400 at Heritage Auctions in 2022.
Wilt Chamberlain is known as one of the 10 greatest basketball players of all time, holding the single-game scoring record of 100 points set in 1962.
What comes next?
The auction at Sotheby's New York is expected to fetch $150,000 to $250,000. Brown learned the trade from his older sister and has been reselling his finds for about three years.
The market for Wilt Chamberlain gear has sweetened since 2022, with his 1972 Finals jersey selling for $4.9 million at Sotheby's in 2023.
Brown found the jacket at one of the three metro-area Goodwill Outlet locations, but would not reveal which location. He started comparing photos of the jersey with photos of Chamberlain at games online.
The jacket was professionally authenticated, confirming its authenticity. Brown's find is a significant one, with the jacket being a rare piece of NBA history.
The auction will start on July 1, and the outcome is highly anticipated. Wilt Chamberlain's legacy continues to be celebrated, with his memorabilia being highly sought after.
The Lakers jacket is a significant piece of memorabilia, and its sale is expected to generate significant interest. Brown's discovery is a remarkable one, and the auction will be closely watched.